President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete on the global stage.
Speaking at the official launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) in Abuja, the President described the initiative as a bold response to unemployment, poverty, and other socio-economic challenges hindering national progress.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria, with a median age of 17 years and projected to become the third most populous country by 2050, must prioritize youth development to secure its future.
“The success of a nation is guaranteed when its children can go to bed assured of their place in a rapidly changing world,” he said.
NiYA will focus on three core areas: education and skills Development by providing world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and creative industries to prepare youths for the global economy.
Another area is economic empowerment by offering financial support, mentorship, and resources through initiatives such as the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters.
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NiYA will also address leadership and civic engagement through training the next generation of leaders in governance, policymaking, and community development.
Tinubu stressed that the academy is designed to close Nigeria’s human capital development gap, ensuring that millions of young Nigerians gain the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive.
“This is not just an investment in their future; it is an investment in the future of our nation,” he declared.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, highlighted the academy’s role in bridging the skills gap in Nigeria’s job market.
“The President promised Nigerian youths a platform to achieve their dreams—whether securing a job, launching a business, or mastering a skill. NiYA is that platform,” Olawande said, urging young people to take advantage of the opportunity.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, also commended the initiative, describing it as a transformational step toward economic self-reliance for Nigerian youths.
He emphasised that in today’s digital economy, skills—not just certificates—are the real currency, making NiYA a vital tool for producing globally competitive entrepreneurs, professionals, and creators.
To kickstart the program, six NiYA participants—one from each geopolitical zone—received ₦1 million** as a startup package to help them implement their business ideas and develop their skills.
NiYA is open to all young Nigerians aged 18 to 35, both within the country and in the diaspora, offering a structured pathway to self-reliance and global relevance.
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“The future belongs to those who are prepared. With NiYA, Nigerian youths now have the tools to shape their own destiny and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Tinubu said.
